Taiwan hit by another big quake, no immediate reports of damage


  • World
  • Friday, 16 Aug 2024

TAIPEI (Reuters) -A 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck 34 km (21 miles) off Taiwan's eastern city of Hualien on Friday, the weather administration said, with no immediate reports of damage from what was the second strong tremor to hit the island in less than a day.

The quake also shook buildings in the capital Taipei. Authorities said subway services in the city continued at lower speeds.

"It was close," said Hsieh Yu Wei, a singer who pulled his car over the moment he received a government-issued quake warning while driving on a Hualien coastal highway.

The quake had a depth of 9.7 km, the weather administration said, and followed a 5.7 magnitude earthquake that struck off Taiwan's northeastern shore on late Thursday.

Weather officials have warned of the risk of landslides in mountainous areas following days of rain.

Taiwan lies near the junction of two tectonic plates and is prone to earthquakes.

In April, Hualien was hit by the biggest earthquake to affect Taiwan in at least 25 years. Nine people were killed and more than 900 injured.

(Reporting by Yimou Lee; Editing by Himani Sarkar and Tom Hogue and Miral Fahmy)

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
   

Next In World

Explainer-Senate approves Mexico's controversial judicial reform. Now what?
US diplomatic facility in Baghdad attacked, no casualties, embassy spokesperson says
Mexican Senate gives final approval for judicial reform
Russia's Kursk region puts damage from Ukraine attack at nearly $1 billion
Sweden boosts justice system spending to tackle crime
Blinken, Lammy arrive in Kyiv for talks with Ukraine's leaders
South Africa's education bill threatens coalition, Democratic Alliance says
Bangladesh ramps up border vigilance as thousands of Rohingya flee Myanmar
Pope Francis arrives in Singapore, last stop on 12-day tour
Exclusive-Wagner lost veteran fighters in Mali ambush, in setback to Russia's Africa campaign

Others Also Read